How to stop dog aggressive behavior in your home? There are many good reasons for having a dog – the companionship, exercise, and sense of purpose are just a few. But some breeds seem to have more problems with aggressive behavior and hostile behavior than others. One of the more common dogs that have problems with aggression is the Pit Bull Terrier. Many people are surprised to learn that the Pit Bull Terrier is one of the most commonly reported dogs to have aggressive behavior issues and this can lead many owners to feel that they need to know how to stop dog aggressive behavior from happening.
Contrary to popular belief, a certain breed is not always responsible for aggression in dogs. Any dog breed could have or develop aggressive behavior problems. A very large, strong, sturdy dog breed would be difficult to handle and become even more aggressive when guarding its territory if aggressive, but small dogs could also have issues with lunging. Smaller dogs that frequently lung, nip, or snap at other dogs on walks could have a health problem such as bloat or heart problems. Many times these problems are caused by poor feeding and care of the pet.
One very common reason why smaller dogs often have issues with aggressive behavior is because they are frequently chained up and are left to their own devices – often by their owner. It is very difficult for a dog to perform exercises like running or playing fetch without a chance to run loose or play with others. As time goes by, these dogs become bored and frustrated because of the nature of the exercises they are getting used to and find it hard to perform them anymore without help. So, while on walks with a dog leash, take the dog for short periods of exercise – twice a day would be sufficient.
Another reason for aggression is a lack of communication from the owner. Aggressive behavior is often a way for the dog to let you know how it feels about being in a particular situation or has a feeling of insecurity or danger. Dogs that constantly feel threatened or anxious may interpret everything as a threat and either try to attack or defend themselves.
How to stop dog aggression can be accomplished in a number of ways depending on the cause and intensity of the problem. For severe cases of how to stop dog aggressive behavior, it may require professional treatment by a veterinarian. In less severe cases, there are a number of ways to help manage aggressive dogs. In some cases, simply training the dog not to fear or feel fear towards other dogs, or other people and things, can help stop the aggression.
One method involves using treats, toys, or rewards for good behavior and providing the dog with something enjoyable to chew on. Treats and toys are great because they help you teach your pooch how to behave in a desired manner. Dogs love to play, and if the play is directed at the people or things that they dislike, such as other dogs or loud noises, the dog will learn to stay away from the activity. Treats and toys can come in many forms – chew balls, Kongs, bone chews, and even small toys in their mouths. Make sure that whatever you provide for your dog to play with understands the importance of how to behave appropriately around aggressive people and other dogs, and he or she will learn quickly.
If the dog’s aggressive behavior is caused by resource guarding, another solution is to modify your dog’s diet. Certain dogs have a diet that contains too much protein, which triggers aggressive behavior because the dog thinks that his or her body needs to have a large amount of protein to ward off threats from other dogs or people. As an alternative to adding protein to the dog’s diet, you might want to consult a veterinarian about dietary supplements that contain more ingredients that help dogs feel satisfied and not feel the need to guard. These supplements include lamb, bison, and venison as well as rice, beans, and wheat, among others.
When learning how to stop dog aggression, one big mistake to never make is to punishing your dog immediately after an attack. Dogs are creatures of habit, and if they catch your ire by biting you, it is very likely that they will keep at it until you get them back in line. Dogs bite when they are defending themselves, and biting isn’t always the best choice for a pet dog. For example, if you were playing tug-of-war and you let go of your dog’s ponytail, the dog would most likely bite you, and it is far better to redirect the dog’s aggression instead of punishing him. Also, it is important to remember that if your dog has been biting before you bring him into your home, he may be fearful of you and will continue to bite if he thinks you are going to steal him away.